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HRT and Alzheimers

One of the last hopes for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is that it might delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or help thinking function as women age.

Two new reviews of the available evidence from around the world only offer a little hope unfortunately.

One was into women who already had Alzheimer’s disease to see whether oestrogen replacement slowed down the deterioration in mental ability. Researchers found that very little reliable research had been done and what had been done only showed a small, temporary and non-significant effect on memory and some other abilities.

The other review looked at healthy post-menopausal women and effects of HRT on cognition. Again the available information was rather paltry and inconclusive with few if any positive effects.

It doesn’t mean that oestrogen doesn’t help. It may be that high doses given by injection could work better, but until large properly conducted studies are done, women will be none the wiser.